L.A. Rathayatra -- 2001

[Guest guest]

July 17, 2001

 

Dear Friends of the Ratha-Yatra Festival of Los Angeles:

 

We are happy to inform you of the upcoming SILVER JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY of the

Ratha-Yatra festival in Los Angeles--twenty-five good years of heartfelt

dedication to bringing Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva and Lady Subhadra from

the Los Angeles New Dvaraka Temple to the exciting and ever-busy boardwalks

of Santa Monica and Venice beaches. The festival will be held on Sunday,

August 5, 2001.

 

This year's Ratha-Yatra Festival will prove to be a UNIQUE experience

because it is the first to be celebrated at the newly renovated Venice Beach

Pavilion. Unlike last year's festival, we will parade the three original

full-size chariots that carry their Lordships Sri Jagannatha, Sri Baladeva

and Lady Subhadra. The Parade of the Chariots starts at 11:00 a.m. from the

Santa Monica Beach and ends at the Venice Beach Pavilion. Check our website:

http://www.harekrishna.com/la for directions to the parade and festival

sites.

 

A daylong program of continuous entertainment includes cultural dance

presentations, live bands and theatrical drama that will unfold at the

colorful main stage. Live bhajans and music will be presented at the

exciting small stage. There will be not one but two free food booths this

year to speed up the distribution of free food.

 

The world famous Govinda's boutique will also be at the festival grounds.

Food booths will serve delicious savories, pizza & salads, refreshing cold

yogurt drinks and vege-curd steaks.

 

The children's workshop tent, popular with parents and children alike, will

present engaging, educational, interactive activities and surprises for

everyone. And there will be other interesting and exciting booths as well,

such as the question and answer booth, audio/visual booth, books and

literature booth, the photo booth, and more...

 

There is only one day a year when Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva, Lady

Subhadra and Their entourage permit us to take Them out to Venice Beach,

California, so They can bless everyone with Their causeless mercy. (It is

said in the scriptures that just by seeing the Ratha-Yatra carts on this day

with Their Lordships riding on them, one burns away all sins from the

heart.)

 

So don't miss this most auspicious day of Ratha-Yatra. You are definitely

invited. It will be a full day of fun with family, friends and the Lord. See

you there...

 

Sincerely yours in the service of the Lord,

 

The LA Ratha-Yatra committee

August 5, 2001, Sunday